Algeria's Aoulef works exports first cement to Niger

El-Hamel-owned Aoulef cement plant, in Adrar, Algeria, carried out the first Algerian cement exports to Niger, according to Minister of Industry and Mines, Youcef Yousfi.

The new plant, which entered service in December 2017 exported 950t of cement overland to Niger – the first of regular shipments. The 1.5Mta Aoulef cement facility plans to exports around 1Mta of its output.

"With these export operations, Algeria has thus shifted from [being] a large importer of cement to an exporting country, thanks to the policy outlined by the public authorities, which has led to the emergence of a genuine cement industry. with a production that has exceeded 25Mta," said the Ministry of Industry and Mines. With production forecast to increase further to 40Mta by 2040, the Ministry reiterated its availability to support cement companies in their export drive.